War And The Long White Road

About the Book

The Narrator of “War and the Long White Road” is a quiet, reflective 17-year old from a good Catholic, middle-class family who enlists in the Marine Corps during World War II.

The story follows him through the rigors of boot camp and culminates in a detailed description of his experience during the assault on a fanatically defended Pacific Island held by the Japanese. Far from finding this experience a devastating one, he finds that despite the blood and gore around him, “living on the edge” provides him with a rare feeling of really being alive.

He survives the battle unhurt and with his enthusiasm for danger undimmed returns to Hawaii to retrain for the last big assault of the war. However, the Japanese surrender frustrates his yearning for one more great battle.

When he is finally sent home he finds that his alienation from his family, which began with his total assimilation into the Marine Corps, is complete and that there is no-longer a place for him in that life, or perhaps anywhere else.

About the Author

John Leibold was born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and saw action in the South Pacific. After the war he returned home to complete his education, and later went to study and work in France and Spain. He is currently retired and living with his wife in Phoenix Arizona.